Gathering

With his enhanced strength and speed, Simon found wielding the hammer increasingly effortless. Seeing the two zombies pressing through the doorway, he delivered a powerful kick. The nearest zombie, unable to react in time, was struck in the abdomen and sent tumbling backward, colliding with the other. Both fell in a heap as Simon swung his hammer at another zombie squeezing through the door.

The zombie raised its arm to block, but with a sharp crack, the hammer broke its arm. Simon, faster than the creature, followed up with another blow. This time, the hammer struck its forehead, shattering the skull and sending blood and gore splattering over Simon's face and body.

As the zombie collapsed, a white sphere shot from its retracting fur into Simon's forehead, and a new message quickly formed in his mind.

"Level 1 Soul Source: Source Energy 2/10"

Absorbing the new energy, Simon felt his strength increase again, though the boost was smaller than before. The initial surge from the first soul source had been far more significant.

In the living room, four zombies remained. This time, Simon took the initiative, charging out of the bedroom. He suddenly realized these zombies were no longer terrifying. Defeating two of them consecutively had made Simon feel almost effortless.

With his speed, strength, and reflexes overwhelmingly superior to those of the zombies, Simon's confidence soared. He rushed forward, delivering a powerful kick. With a resounding "bang," the approaching zombie was sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground. Simon swung his hammer horizontally, striking another zombie.

This zombie barely had time to react before its head caved in, its body collapsing sideways and its head smashing into the wall, leaving a stark splash of crimson on the once pristine surface.

Another white soul source shot towards him.

"Level 1 Soul Source: Source Energy 3/10"

Simon took a deep breath. Only three zombies remained, no longer a threat. He charged forward bravely. The zombie he had kicked down was just beginning to rise when he smashed its head, claiming yet another soul source.

After he crushed the skull of the last mobile zombie, a new message echoed in his mind:

"Level 1 Soul Source: Source Energy 6/10"

At this moment, Simon finally paused. Covered in blood from head to toe, he felt the weariness in his arms after slaying seven zombies. Despite his significantly enhanced stamina, fatigue still crept in.

Surveying the carnage of dismembered corpses strewn across the floor, Simon sank down, his breath heavy. Though exhausted, his spirits remained high.

"Just four more soul sources, and I will have gathered ten. I wonder what new transformations await."

After resting for a while and regaining his strength, Simon stood up, retrieved the knife he had discarded by the balcony, and opened the security door. He began dragging the zombie corpses outside. Initially, he considered tossing the bodies from the balcony but feared that the scent of blood might attract dangerous creatures. After some deliberation, he decided to temporarily pile the corpses in the corridor.

Strangely enough, despite the mild October weather, these bodies showed no signs of decay; otherwise, they would have started to emit a foul stench by now. Given the multitude of bizarre and inexplicable events he had encountered in the past day, the fact that these corpses hadn't decomposed seemed almost trivial.

After moving the bodies outside, Simon carried his knife and hammer to the bathroom to clean up. Though he had prepared two large basins of water in advance, he was reluctant to waste them. He used only a small amount to wash his face and hands before changing out of his blood-soaked clothes. Then, he opened a packet of instant noodles. Having eaten nothing since the previous night, he was famished.

As he noticed the floor becoming increasingly damp, he realized that the water level was still rising slowly. It wouldn't be long before this place became uninhabitable. With only enough food to last three or four days, he couldn't stay here indefinitely.

"Once I've gathered ten soul sources, I should become significantly stronger. It will be safer to leave then."

Simon, with a plan in mind, no longer feared the corpse-transformed monsters, but he harbored deep apprehension towards the unknown creatures in the water. Every increment in his strength offered a corresponding increase in his hope for survival.

As he boiled water and prepared instant noodles, the aroma teased Simon's senses, causing his mouth to water. Due to the scarcity of food, Simon refrained from indulging himself recklessly throughout the day. Only when his hunger became unbearable did he allow himself a meager biscuit. Now, the scent of the noodles was irresistible, akin to the most delectable food in the world.

After finishing the noodles and savoring every drop of broth, Simon felt a warm, indescribable comfort spreading through his entire body.

Satisfied and fortified, armed with his knife and hammer, Simon opened the security door and peered into the silent corridor outside.

Simon stepped out and approached the door of the apartment where a couple once lived. The security door was slightly ajar, and Simon gently pushed it open.

"May there be discoveries ahead," Simon whispered softly, taking a deep breath as he entered.

When Simon retrieved instant noodles and biscuits from his backpack, he surveyed the meager provisions and suddenly pondered the unlocked security door of the apartment where the young couple once lived. Perhaps there were still food or other belongings left inside, he thought, and resolved to investigate.

The house appeared abandoned for some time, covered in dust. Simon glanced at the spilled soup noodles on the table and surmised that the couple had likely departed in haste and panic. The most plausible scenario was that they had realized the flood was imminent and fled, though the timing seemed off.

"Forget it, no use dwelling on it. This whole situation is bizarre and inexplicable," Simon murmured to himself, shaking his head. He ceased dwelling on the matter and meticulously searched through every nook and cranny, hoping for a discovery.

After a thorough inspection of the kitchen yielded nothing, Simon pushed open another door and was greeted by a photograph hanging above the bed. It was the wedding portrait of the young couple, confirming this was their bedroom.

In the bedroom, Simon found various items: bank cards, identification cards revealing their names—Zhang Wu and Li Juan—and a stash of cash amounting to over a thousand yuan. Additionally, there were several pieces of jewelry, including a diamond ring and a necklace, indicating considerable value.

Simon left everything undisturbed. At present, these possessions held little value compared to a single pack of instant noodles.